Shannon Peace House to close due to Garda harrassment

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday March 27, 2003 22:22 by Tim - Shannon Peace House Shannon Peace House

'proud' and 'honourable' cops target landlady

We in the peace house have had to put up with a lot. at first it was just unsocial hours outdoors planespotting, then the Airport police and a few Gardai questions. Establishment hacks and others trying to discredit us as liars, anti-american, or trouble makers. Local politicians eager to appear moral and responsible. We weathered it all. Lately we've become the target of a determined Garda campaign of harrassment and intimidation. It was not covert surveillance (and I'd know a fair bit about that topic) it was obvious, intended not only to harrass us, but to let out neighbours in Shannon see that we were being watched. But the brave guardians of order (not law, but the pecking order) decided to go one better. not content with harassing anyone who visits the house, they started putting pressure on our landlady.

I spoke to her over the phone, and seeing as she has kids to think of, and doesn't need the hassle from the cops, it has been agreed that we will soon be packing up here at the Peace House.
Supt John Kerins, Inspector Thomas Kennedy,
Bertie and his criminal government will not weep when the house is empty.

As previously reported, the house and its occupants were put under 24 hour watch recently.
(I wonder if the rapists, murderers and muggers are having an easier time of it because a few planespotters are being harrassed)

When we go to the airport to log illegal flights we are surrounded by Gardai, intimidated and get lights shone in our faces.

On Monday, Conor and I took the bus to Limerick.
The whole way there, Det Sgt Mike Houlihan and Det Gda Brian Quinn were right behind the bus in an unmarked car.
The fact that they didn't indicate until Conor held up a large hand-made sign saying "INDICATE" is a side story.
When we got to Limerick, we got off the bus and started walking towards William street.
We tried talking to Det Houlihan but they ignored us. After a few yards, Det Houlihan got out and followed us. when he found us waiting at the corner he said "Now lads, you get on with your business and I'll get on with mine".
Just then Jan O'Sullivan TD (Lab) walked by and I said hello and introduced her to Houlihan, explaining how he wanted to keep a close eye on us.
She assured him we were fine upstanding men.
Houlihan lost interest in us after a while.
(I'm sure he was aware that we had no plans to meet any Al Qaeda members)

On Tuesday afternoon, while walking and hitching to Limerick, I was followed to Bunratty by Det Garda Larry Donellan.
Later that night I was walking home and found Det. Garda Brian Quinn (see Dubsky's Trial notes for his work) parked on the pavement facing the house.

Now, let's form a clear image. This is not a roadside pavement. This is a footpath that crosses through a square piece of grass at the edge of the estate.
There are two diagonal paths through the square and Garda Quinn parked the nice blue Ford Focus right in the middle of the X for all to see.
In fact when walking into the estate from the bus stop, you would have to walk around this car.
I stopped to chat to Garda Quinn about this.
When I asked him if he thought it was appropriate to park where he was, he said it was his own business.
When I asked him why it was necessary for him and Detective Mike Houlihan to follow us the whole way to Limerick and then follow us up the street he didn't comment other than that he was "doing as he was told"
We had a long conversation including discussing the over-the-top security and the apparent siege mentality developing.
He asked me "whose fault is that?"
I said I considered it obvious that the very public display was meant for the locals and not as a security measure.
The old 'no smoke without fire' addage being applied to make us look like trouble makers, even though neither myself, Conor nor Aisling ever lifted a cutter to the fence, nor a hammer to an airplane, nor our fist to a Garda.
They could just as easily park on the road and watch us without alerting the locals.
I also asked him what was the real crime, the ongoing criminal use of Shannon or the embarrassing exposure of Shannon's "dirty little secret" by a few planespotters.
He agreed with me that neither myself, Conor or Aisling had shown contempt for the Gardai, nor had we acted violently towards people or property.
When I asked him if this harrassment and intimidation was part of an investigation he said "that would be a matter for the Garda Siochana" He also said that intimidation was "a strong word".
I asked him which word would better describe having a Garda - who refuses to name himself - park near your house, and when approached shows himself to be armed.
"I know that man, he's a decent man" said Quin.
"well then, why didn't he name himself?" I asked
"He's a decent man, I know him" was the reply.
"What's his name?" was my next unanswered question.
Quinn: "Was the gun pointed at you?"
Tim:"No, but that's not the point, it was deliberately shown. If I had a gun and simply showed it to you, but not aimed it at you, you'd consider that intimidation wouldn't you?"
Quinn: "have you been assaulted?"
Tim:"Yes, by an airport police inspector, and so has Conor, but the only time I was assaulted by a Garda was in Cork, for taking a photograph of Henry Kissinger getting out of his car"
Quinn:"you'd get worse in other countries"
Tim: "It's hardly the acid-test for intimidation if you simply stop short of assault".

This went on for a while, I told him there was no personal animosity from me but a lot of professional criticism, then I said goodnight and went in my door.
Knowing full well I'd be back with a videocamera, Quinn moved the car onto the road.

There's more like this. There's more detail in the complaint to the Garda Complaints Board.
I doubt many of you are surprised at this.
But the low point has to be harrassing our landlady.
She was rather upset at being stopped by the Gardai and the pressure they applied to her.
Understandably, she has to think of herself and her kids.
Now, we've agreed to move out and I'm sure the so called Guardians of the Peace will be happy with themselves.
For myself it's a setback as well as another low point for my country. Very little honour in the actions of these men. no respect for the law, as it should be applied at the airport, and no respect for us.
At the end of the day it's not much of an achievement. We've already gathered a lot, and put it into the public arena.
There are more people willing to set up temporary camps, and we will still be keeping an eye on the airport and telling people (including lawyers, barrister and judges) what goes on there.

Did you hear the one about the free open democracy?
Nah, it's not that funny a joke actually.